Frenzied feeding activity spotted at Coffee Bay, signal sardines

Each year in June or July along the KwaZulu-Natal coast the word gets out and, within hours, crowds of frenzied human predators converge on the area to join sharks, gamefish, marine mammals and birds in a feeding orgy.

The Sardine Run is an annual phenomenon sparked by the entry of large shoals of sardines into the waters of southern KwaZulu-Natal during the winter months. Although the great bulk of South Africa’s sardine stock is to be found in the cooler Cape waters, each winter a small proportion of the stock moves eastwards up the Wild Coast.

The appearance of common dolphins along the KwaZulu-Natal south coast is closely associated with the arrival of the Sardine Run and it has even been suggested that the female dolphins use the plentiful food supply to wean their calves and replenish their depleted fat stores.

The KwaZulu-Natal Sharks Board Maritime Centre of Excellence (KZNSB) undertook its second observation flight in the lead up to this year’s sardine run on Thursday June 2.

The first signs of increased sardine associated activity were seen off the Eastern Cape coast in the area between Coffee Bay and Hole in the Wall.

This is about 140km south of KwaZulu-Natal.

Hundreds of Cape gannets were seen actively diving and sitting on the water surface.

There is also an abundance of common dolphins feeding in this area which generally is a good sign of sardine activity.

The area of fairly intense activity stretches for about 10 kilometres. There were no visible signs of shoals of sardines, however the feeding activity of both the gannets and dolphins suggests that there are fish in the area.

Numerous shoals of baitfish are currently visible at the surface all along the inshore region of both KZN and the Eastern Cape.

This is common for this time of the year and these shoals are often mistaken for sardines.

Although it is difficult to be certain of the species make-up of the shoals, reports from reliable sources that target these fish for bait report that they consist mainly of red eye sardine (east coast round herring) and mackerel. No predator activity has been seen accompanying these fish.

All shark safety gear along the coast remains in place and all beaches are open for bathing.

A strategy for net removal ahead of the sardine run has been agreed with the Hibiscus Coast Municipality and this will be implemented as required.

The Sharks Board will continue to closely monitor sardine activity and remove or replace shark safety gear as required.

To receive the latest news of the Sardine Run 2016 visit https://www.shark.co.za/pages/news or like the KZN Sharks Board Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/kznsb

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